Container for mixing two types of contents

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a mixing container capable of mixing and discharging two different types of contents. The mixing container according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a main body part having an inner space therein; a rotating part rotatably coupled to one end of the main body part; a moving part that is screwed to the rotating part and can move linearly by means of rotation of the rotating part in the inner space; and a pressing part that is provided in the main body part and is elastically deformed by an external force so as to reduce the volume of the inner space, wherein the inner space is divided, by the moving part, into a first space filled with a first content and a second space filled with a second content, the first space and the second space communicate with each other by means of movement of the moving part such that the first content and the second content can be mixed, and the mixed contents are discharged by means of elastic deformation of the pressing part.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present invention relates to a mixing container with which two different types of contents within the container can be mixed together for use.

Description of the Related Art

The mixing container is a container that stores two different types of contents separately within a single container and mixes the contents when they are used. For example, in the context of cosmetics, a mixing container is being manufactured and distributed in which a gel type base and a powder are stored individually without mixing, where the base and the powder may be mixed together when used. This form of mixing container is mainly used in cases where a mixture of the two different types of contents provides a synergetic effect but where a premature mixing of the two different contents before the time of use causes the contents to spoil or exhibit a lowered performance after a prolonged period of distribution.

Korean Registered Patent No. 1923306 discloses a mixing container capable of mixing heterogeneous substances. The mixing container disclosed in the above prior art document includes two pumps and is structured such that the two types of contents are discharged by their respective pumps and mixed immediately before they are dispensed out of the container.

The conventional mixing container for mixing heterogeneous substances having the structure above requires a large number of components and has a complicated structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

An aspect of the present invention, which was conceived to resolve the problem described above, is to provide a mixing container that has a simple structure and is therefore easy to fabricate and convenient to use.

Other objectives of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the embodiments set forth below.

Solution to Problem

One aspect of the present invention provides a mixing container that includes: a body part having an interior space; a rotatable part rotatably coupled to one end of the body part; a movable part screw-joined to the rotatable part and configured to be moved linearly within the interior space by a rotation of the rotatable part; and a pressing part provided on the body part and configured to be elastically deformed by an external force to decrease a volume of the interior space, where the interior space may be divided by the movable part into a first space configured to be filled with a first content and a second space configured to be filled with a second content, a movement of the movable part joins the first space and the second space such that the first content and the second content are mixed together, and the mixed contents are dispensed by an elastic deformation of the pressing part.

A mixing container according to an embodiment of the present invention can include one or more of the following features. For example, a pressing hole can be formed in a periphery of the body part, and the pressing part can be positioned at the pressing hole and can be made from an elastic material.

The pressing part can be formed on the body part by double injection molding. The pressing hole can be formed symmetrically with respect to the body part.

The movable part can include a movable protrusion, which can be screw-joined to the rotatable part, and a separation member, which can be coupled with the movable protrusion and configured to separate the first space and the second space, and the separation member can be configured to tightly contact an inner perimeter of the body part.

The separation member can be formed in a sloped manner.

The body part can include a first body part, to which the rotatable part may be coupled, and a second body part, to which the pressing part may be coupled.

An end portion of the first body part can be inserted into the second body part, where the first space and the second space can be divided by the movable part contacting an inner perimeter of the end portion, and the first space and the second space can be connected by the movable part being separated from the inner perimeter.

A dispenser hole for dispensing the mixed contents can be formed in the other end of the body part, and the dispenser hole can be closed by a cover.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

An embodiment of the present invention can provide a mixing container that is easy to fabricate and convenient to use.

Also, an embodiment of the present invention can provide a mixing container with which the contents can be easily mixed for use regardless of form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a mixing container according to a first disclosed embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the mixing container across line AA of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the mixing container across line CC of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the movable part, first body part, and rotatable part.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a mixing container according to an embodiment of the present invention filled with two different types of contents.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the first content being flowed into the space filled with the second content as a result of a rotation of the rotatable part in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the first content and the second content in a mixed state.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the mixture being discharged out of the container as a result of a deformation of the pressing part.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As the invention allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the written description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to particular modes of practice, and it is to be appreciated that all changes, equivalents, and substitutes that do not depart from the spirit and technical scope of the present invention are encompassed by the present invention. In the description of the present invention, certain detailed explanations of the related art are omitted, if it is deemed that they may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention.

The terms used in the present specification are merely used to describe particular embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. An expression used in the singular encompasses the expression of the plural, unless it has a clearly different meaning in the context. In the present specification, it is to be understood that the terms such as “including” or “having,” etc., are intended to indicate the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof disclosed in the specification and are not intended to preclude the possibility that one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof may exist or may be added.

While such terms as “first,” “second,” “upper,” “lower,” etc., may be used to describe various components, such components must not be limited to the above terms. The above terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

Certain embodiments of the invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those components that are the same or are in correspondence are rendered the same reference numeral, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a mixing container 100 according to a first disclosed embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the mixing container 100 across line AA of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the mixing container 100 across line CC of FIG. 2. Also, FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the movable part 140, the first body part 130, and the rotatable part 110.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a mixing container 100 according to this embodiment may be a container that stores two different types of substances separately and allows a mixing of the two substances when they are used. The substances filled in the mixing container 100 can be of various types and forms, including liquids, powders, capsules, etc., and the present invention is not limited by the types and forms of the substances filled in the mixing container 100.

The interior space of the mixing container 100 may be divided by a movable part 140 into a first space 102 and a second space 104. The first space 102 may be filled with a first content 106, and the second space 104 may be filled with a second content 108, which may be the same as or different from the first content (see FIG. 5). To use a mixture of the first content 106 and the second content 108, the user may rotate a rotatable part 110 to connect the first space 102 and the second space 104. This can enable a mixing of the first content 106 and the second content 108 (see FIG. 7). Then, the user may apply pressure on a pressing part 170, which may be provided on the side of the mixing container 100, to dispense the mixture 107 out of the container.

Thus, a mixing container 100 according to this embodiment may include the body part 130, 160, the rotatable part 110, the movable part 140, and the pressing part 170, which may form a simple composition to allow easy manufacture and assembly. Also, the use of the mixing container 100 is convenient, requiring only the two steps of rotating the rotatable part 110 to mix the contents and pressing the pressing part 170 to dispense the mixture.

A mixing container 100 based on this embodiment may have a cylindrical shape overall and may include, from top to bottom, a cover part 180, a body part 130, 160, a pressing part 170, and a rotatable part 110 exposed to the outside. The pressing part 170 may be positioned on a periphery of the body part 160.

The body part 130, 160 may form an interior space in the mixing container 100 for holding the contents 106, 108. The interior space can be separated by the movable part 140 into a first space 102 and a second space 104.

The body part can be composed of two parts, i.e., a first body part 130 and a second body part 160. The first body part 130 and the second body part 160 may couple with each other to form a single body part.

The first body part 130 may be coupled to a lower portion of the second body part 160 and may have the rotatable part 110 rotatably coupled onto its periphery. The interior space formed by the first body part 130 may form the first space 102.

The first body part 130 may be structured as a hollow cylinder that has a closed bottom and an open top.

The first body part 130 may include a periphery member 132 forming a cylinder. On the outer surface of the periphery member 132, a coupling protrusion 134 may be provided. The coupling protrusion 134 may be coupled to an end portion 162 of the second body part 160, whereby the first body part 130 may be coupled to the second body part 160 in a continuous and non-rotatable manner. The first body part 130 and second body part 160 can remain unrotated in spite of the rotation of the rotatable part 110. The coupling protrusion 134 may be exposed at the exterior of the mixing container 100.

The outer diameter of the periphery member 132 of the first body part 130 can be the same as or almost the same as the inner diameter of the second body part 160. As a result, a portion of the periphery member 132 of the first body part 130 may be inserted to the inside of the second body part 160. Also, at the first body part 130, the rotatable part 110 may be rotatably coupled to a lower portion of the coupling protrusion 134. The outer diameter of the rotatable part 110 may be formed the same as the outer diameter of the coupling protrusion 134 and the outer diameter of the second body part 160. Thus, the rotatable part 110, the coupling protrusion 134 of the first body part 130, and the second body part 160, which may be the parts of the mixing container 100 exposed to the outside, can all have the same outer diameter, thereby providing a smooth container exterior without any protuberance.

An end portion 137 of the periphery member 132 can be positioned within the second body part 160 and can be formed with a thickness that gradually decreases towards the end. A separation member 152 of the movable part 140 may contact the inner perimeter of the end portion 137, as a result of which the interior space may be separated into a first space 102 and a second space 104.

An outwardly protruding detent protrusion 136 may be formed on the periphery member 132. The detent protrusion 136 may be inserted into a detent groove 114 formed in the periphery member 112 of the rotatable part 110. As a result, the rotatable part 110 may be rotatably coupled to the outer perimeter of the first body part 130 and may not be separated.

In the center on the inside of the first body part 130, there may be formed a center protrusion 138. The center protrusion 138 may be formed as a hollow cylindrical structure having a particular length. The center protrusion 138 may be structured such that both the upper and lower ends are open. A rotary shaft 116 of the rotatable part 110 and a movement protrusion 142 of the movable part 140 may be inserted within the center protrusion 138. Also, a guide protrusion 148 of the movable part 140 may be positioned at the outer side of the center protrusion 138. In this way, the center protrusion 138 may guide the movement protrusion 142 and the guide protrusion 148 of the movable part 140, so as to prevent looseness and allow smooth upward and downward movements when the movable part 140 is moved.

The second body part 160 may be structured to have a cylindrical shape with a sloped part 166 and a dispenser hole 168 formed at the upper portion. Also, the lower portion of the second body part 160 may have an opened structure. The second body part 160 may couple with the first body part 130 to form the interior space of the mixing container 100. In the periphery of the second body part 160, there may be two pressing holes 164 formed symmetrically to each other with a particular gap in-between.

The pressing holes 164 may correspond to holes formed in the periphery of the second body part 160. The pressing holes 164 may be completely covered by the pressing part 170. That is, the pressing part 170 can be structured such that certain portions are completely inserted into the pressing holes 164, which may have a particular shape, while the remaining portions completely surround the periphery of the second body part 160. When external forces are applied on the portions of the pressing part 170 positioned over the pressing holes 164, the pressing part 170 can be stretched due to the elasticity of the pressing part 170 and can be moved into interior space (see FIG. 8). As a result, the volume of the interior space may be decreased, and the mixture may be discharged to the outside.

While the illustrations depict the mixing container 100 according to this embodiment as having two pressing holes 164 that have the same size and are formed symmetrically to each other, the present invention is not limited by the number, size, and arrangement structure of the pressing holes 164. Thus, a mixing container according to another embodiment of the present invention can include one pressing hole or three or more pressing holes. Also, while the illustrations depict the pressing holes 164 as having the same height with respect to the lengthwise direction of the mixing container 100, it is possible to for the pressing holes to be formed with different heights.

In the second body part 160, an indentation of a particular depth can be formed in the outer perimeter of the portion where the pressing holes 164 are formed. The pressing part 170 can be inserted into the indentation formed in the outer perimeter of the second body part 160 to provide a generally smooth shape as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The end portion 162 of the second body part 160 may be non-rotatably coupled with the coupling protrusion 134 of the first body part 130.

While the illustrations depict the mixing container 100 according to this embodiment as having a body part that is composed of two parts, i.e., the first body part 130 and second body part 160, a mixing container according to another embodiment of the present invention can include a body part composed of just one part, which can be regarded as a structure where the first body part 130 and the second body part 160 are formed as an integrated body.

The pressing part 170 may be formed around the second body part 160 by way of double injection molding, with portions thereof inserted within the pressing holes 164. However, the portions of the pressing part 170 inserted in the pressing holes 164 may not protrude beyond the inner perimeter of the second body part 160.

The pressing part 170 can be made from a material such as rubber, an elastomer, or silicone, etc., that stretches when an external force is applied. Since the second body part 160 according to this embodiment may be made from a plastic material having a certain degree of rigidity, the pressing part 170 can be formed as an integrated body with the second body part 160 by way of double injection molding.

When the pressing part 170 positioned over the pressing holes 164 is pressed, the pressing part 170 may be elastically stretched to protrude into the interior space of the mixing container 100 (see FIG. 8). The pressing part 170 pressed and stretched in this manner can decrease the volume of the interior space, so that the mixture 107 may be discharged through the dispenser hole 168 to the outside of the mixing container 100.

The dispenser hole 168 of the second body part 160 may correspond to a passageway through which the mixture may be discharged. The dispenser hole 168 can be closed by the cover part 180. The cover part 180 may have a structure that is shaped as a hollow cylinder with its upper surface closed and its lower surface open. On the inner side of the cover part 180, there may be formed an anti-leakage protrusion 182. When the cover part 180 is coupled to the second body part 160, the anti-leakage protrusion 182 can be inserted into the dispenser hole 168 to thereby prevent any leakage of the mixture 107.

The rotatable part 110 may be rotatably coupled to the first body part 130, and the rotation of the rotatable part 110 may cause the movable part 140 to move. The rotatable part 110 may have the shape of a hollow cylinder having one side open and the other side closed and may include a periphery member 112 and a rotary shaft 116 formed in the center on the inner side of the periphery member 112.

The periphery member 112 of the rotatable part 110 may form the outer perimeter of the rotatable part 110 and may have a particular height. The outer diameter of the periphery member 112 can be formed the same as the outer diameter of the second body part 160, as a result of which the mixing container 100 can have a smooth outer surface without any protuberances. A detent groove 114 may be formed on the inner perimeter of the periphery member 112. The detent groove 114 may receive the detent protrusion 136, which may be formed on the outer perimeter of the first body part 130, so that the rotatable part 110 may not be detached from the first body part 130 and may undergo rotation only.

The rotary shaft 116 may be formed protruding from the center at the inside of the rotatable part 110. The rotary shaft 116 may correspond to the center of rotation of the rotatable part 110 and may be inserted into the center protrusion 138 formed in the first body part 130 and the movement protrusion 142 of the movable part 140.

A thread 118 may be formed on the periphery of the rotary shaft 116. The thread 118 may be screw-joined with a thread 144 formed in the inside of the movement protrusion 142. Thus, when the rotary shaft 116, which does not undergo upward or downward movement and only undergoes only rotational movement, is rotated, the screw-joined movement protrusion 142 can be made to move up. That is, the rotational movement of the rotatable part 110 can cause the screw-joined movable part 140 to undergo a linear oscillating movement.

On the end portion of the rotary shaft 116, there may be formed an anti-separation protrusion 120. The anti-separation protrusion 120 may be formed with a greater diameter compared to other portions of the rotary shaft 116. As a result, when the movable part 140 is moved upward by the rotation of the rotary shaft 116, an inner protrusion 146 formed on the inside may be caught on the anti-separation protrusion 120, and any further movement of the movable part 140 may thus be limited (see FIG. 7).

The movable part 140 may move up and down in the interior space in cooperation with the rotation of the rotatable part 110 to connect or separate the first space 102 and the second space 104. That is, the movable part 140 may be screw-joined with the rotatable part 110 to convert the rotational movement of the rotatable part 110 into a linear oscillating movement. Also, the movable part 140 may be guided in its movement by the center protrusion 138 of the first body part 130.

The movable part 140 may include a movement protrusion 142, a guide protrusion 148, and a separation member 152.

The movement protrusion 142 may be the portion that extends downward from the separation member 152 and may have the structure of a hollow cylinder with its lower end open. A thread 144 may be formed in the inner perimeter of the movement protrusion 142, where the thread 144 may be screw-joined with the thread 118 of the rotatable part 110.

Above the thread 144 on the inner perimeter of the movement protrusion 142, there may be formed an inner protrusion 146. The inner protrusion 146 may be caught on the anti-separation protrusion 120 of the rotary shaft 116 during the upward movement of the movable part 140 (see FIG. 8), thereby preventing any further upward movement of the movable part 140 and preventing the movable part 140 from becoming detached from the rotary shaft 116.

Around the movement protrusion 142, there may be formed a guide protrusion 148. The guide protrusion 148 may also have the structure of a hollow cylinder with its lower end open. The guide protrusion 148 may be formed with a length shorter than that of the movement protrusion 142 and a diameter somewhat larger than that of the movement protrusion 142. The center protrusion 138 of the first body part 130 may be inserted into the guide protrusion 148, so that the center protrusion 138 may guide the movement of the movable part 140 in the upward and downward directions to prevent looseness during movement and allow a stable and smooth movement.

At the upper end of the movement protrusion 142 and guide protrusion 148, there may be provided a separation member 152. The separation member 152 may have a domed shape with its top open. The separation member 152 may be structured to have an upwardly sloped cross section. Also, at the end portion of the separation member 152, there may be a separation protrusion 154 protruding upward.

The separation member 152 may serve to partition the first space 102 from the second space 104. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, when the end portion of the separation member 152 contacts the inner perimeter of the first body part 130, the first space 102 and second space 104 may be separated. When a linear movement of the movable part 140 causes the separation member 152 to no longer contact the inner perimeter of the first body part 130 (see FIGS. 6 to 8), the first space 102 and second space 104 may be connected.

The separation member 152 can be formed with a maximum diameter that is somewhat larger than the diameter of the inner perimeter of the first body part 130. As a result, the end portion of the separation member 152 may contact the inner perimeter of the first body part 130 while applying pressure, thus separating the first space 102 and second space 104 and preventing the first content 106 that has been injected into the first space 102 from leaking into the second space 104.

A more detailed description of a mixing container 100 based on this embodiment is provided below, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the mixing container 100 filled with two different types of contents 106, 108, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the first content 106 being flowed into the second space 104 filled with the second content 108 as a result of a rotation of the rotatable part 110 in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the first content 106 and the second content 108 in a completely mixed state, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the mixture 107 being discharged out of the container as a result of a deformation of the pressing part 170.

Referring to FIG. 5, the interior space of the mixing container 100 may be separated by the separation member 152 of the movable part 140 into the first space 102 and the second space 104. The first space 102 may be filled with a first content 106, and the second space 104 may be filled with a second content 108. The separation member 152 may prevent the first content 106 and the second content 108 from being mixed together. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the mixing container 100 can be manufactured and circulated for extended periods with the first content 106 and the second content 108 prevented from mixing with each other., making it possible to avoid any spoiling or degradation in quality caused by a mixing of the contents.

A mixing container 100 based on this embodiment can be readily fabricated by individually fabricating the part where the first content 106 is to be injected and the part where the second content 108 is to be injected and then coupling the parts to each other to complete the mixing container 100 as illustrated in FIG. 5. That is, the second content 108 may be injected into the second body part 160. Here, the cover part 180 can be coupled to the end portion of the second body part 160. Then, the first body part 130 may be inserted to the inside of the rotatable part 110, may receive the first content 106 injected into the interior space, and may be covered with the movable part 140 to prevent the first content 106 from leaking. The assembly of the rotatable part 110, first body part 130, and movable part 140, with the first content 106 filled in, may be coupled to the end portion 162 of the second body part 160 to complete the fabrication of the mixing container 100.

Referring to FIG. 6, when the rotatable part 110 is rotated from the state shown in FIG. 5, the movable part 140 screw-joined to the rotary shaft 116 may move downward. The movement of the movable part 140 may cause the first space 102, which was hitherto sealed by the separation member 152, to be opened, allowing the first content 106 to flow in the direction of the second space 104.

Referring to FIG. 7, after a particular amount of time pass from the state shown in FIG. 6, the first content 106 may flow into the second space 104 and be mixed with the second content 108 to form a mixture 107.

Of course, in a mixing container 100 where the rotatable part 110 is positioned at the bottom, i.e., in a configuration opposite to that of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, it is possible to have the second content 108 flow into the first space 102 to create the mixture 107.

Referring to FIG. 8, after the mixture 107 has been created as in FIG. 7, when the pressing part 170 formed in the sides are pressed inward, the pressing part 170 may be elastically deformed due to the flexible quality of the pressing part 170 and may protrude into the interior space. As the volume is decreased and pressure is consequently increased in the interior space due to the protruding of the pressing part 170, the mixture 107 can be discharged through the dispenser hole 168 to the outside.

A mixing container 100 based on this embodiment is convenient to use, as the user can simply rotate the rotatable part 110 and then press on the pressing part 170 to dispense the mixture 107. Also, since it is just as easy to mix a content of a powder or capsule form with a content of a liquid form, there is no limit to the type of content that can be used. Furthermore, the mixing container 100 is easy to produce and assemble due to the simple composition of the rotatable part 110, first and second body part 130, 160, movable part 140, and pressing part 170.

While the foregoing provides a description with reference to an embodiment of the present invention, it should be appreciated that a person having ordinary skill in the relevant field of art would be able to make various modifications and alterations to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention set forth in the scope of claims below. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A mixing container comprising: a body part having an interior space; a rotatable part rotatably coupled to one end of the body part; a movable part screw-joined to the rotatable part and configured to be moved linearly within the interior space by a rotation of the rotatable part; and a pressing part provided on the body part and configured to be elastically deformed by an external force to decrease a volume of the interior space, wherein the interior space is divided by the movable part into a first space and a second space, the first space configured to be filled with a first content, the second space configured to be filled with a second content, a movement of the movable part joins the first space and the second space such that the first content and the second content are mixed together, and the mixed contents are dispensed by an elastic deformation of the pressing part.
 2. The mixing container of claim 1, wherein a pressing hole is formed in a periphery of the body part, and the pressing part is positioned at the pressing hole and made from an elastic material.
 3. The mixing container of claim 2, wherein the pressing part is formed on the body part by double injection molding.
 4. The mixing container of claim 2, wherein the pressing hole is formed symmetrically with respect to the body part.
 5. The mixing container of claim 1, wherein the movable part comprises a movable protrusion and a separation member, the movable protrusion screw-joined to the rotatable part, the separation member coupled with the movable protrusion and configured to separate the first space and the second space, and the separation member is configured to tightly contact an inner perimeter of the body part.
 6. The mixing container of claim 5, wherein the separation member is formed in a sloped manner.
 7. The mixing container of claim 1, wherein the body part comprises a first body part and a second body part, and the first body part has the rotatable part coupled thereto, and the second body part has the pressing part coupled thereto.
 8. The mixing container of claim 7, wherein an end portion of the first body part is inserted into the second body part, the first space and the second space are divided by the movable part contacting an inner perimeter of the end portion, and the first space and the second space are connected by the movable part being separated from the inner perimeter.
 9. The mixing container of claim 1, wherein a dispenser hole for dispensing the mixed contents is formed in the other end of the body part, and the dispenser hole is configured to be closed by a cover. 